New Mexico man accused of trying to create ISIS “safe haven”

Driving the news: The man was arrested for allegedly trying to “provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization” and attempting to “obstruct, influence and impede at least one official proceeding,” DOJ said.

  • A federal grand jury indicted Herman Leyvoune Wilson, also known as Bilal Mu’Min Abdullah, who will remain in custody until his arraignment on Aug. 30.
  • Wilson faces up to 20 years in prison for each count.

Details: Wilson attempted to create an “Islamic State Center” in New Mexico that would offer ISIS ideology teachings and “provide training in tactical maneuvers and martial arts,” the DOJ said.

  • The center was allegedly meant to “serve as a safe haven for individuals preparing to travel and fight on behalf of ISIS in the United States and abroad,” according to the DOJ.

Context: Two individuals who were arrested for providing support to ISIS said Wilson “radicalized them” and that they wouldn’t have supported ISIS if not for Wilson, according to the DOJ.

  • Wilson has previously been convicted of several violent crimes in the past, per the Albuquerque Journal.

https://www.axios.com/2022/08/27/isis-new-mexico-arrest-fbi